Here are the four "key measures of reform" President Barack Obama said his administration will require in evaluating states' proposals for federal "Race to the Top" dollars, and how Wisconsin measures up:

• Is the state committed to setting higher standards and establishing better tests that prepare children to succeed in a 21st Century knowledge economy?

Status: The state is phasing out the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examinations, the statewide tests used to comply with the federal No Child Left Behind law, over the next two to three years in favor of a system that would use state, district and classroom tests. The state is also reevaluating its standards.

• Is the state committed to hiring effective teachers and principals and evaluating staff to ensure strong teachers in the classroom?

Status: The Legislature is expected to pass a bill today that would allow student test scores to be used as one factor in evaluating teacher performance but not to be used to discipline or dismiss a teacher.

• Is the state tracking the progress of students and teachers to make sure every child graduates ready for college and a career? Is the information getting to teachers quickly so they can make timely adjustments to their classroom work?

Status: The Legislature is expected to pass a bill today that would direct state schools, colleges and universities to share data on students from preschool through post-secondary schooling to improve learning. The new statewide testing system being developed is also expected to deliver information back to teachers and administrators more rapidly.

• Is the state taking steps to transform its lowest-performing schools and showing a willingness to "remake a school from top to bottom with new leaders and a new way of teaching?"

Status: A bill to grant the state superintendent of schools powers to change failing schools' curriculum, expand their hours, and change their personnel within the limits of union contracts, has passed the Assembly Education Committee and has Gov Jim Doyle's support.

But Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker, D-Weston, said that bill represents a major change and that its backers need to show it has public support.

Login to post your comment. If you don't have an account, you may register for one.